Live Update: Mark leads by 4,000 as Benue South senatorial poll turns bloody (photos)
The people of Benue South returned to the polling units on Saturday, February 20, to elect their senator to represent them at the National Assembly.
In recent times, newspapers headlines have competed for reports on the election with major focus on two key contenders.
As widely reported, the contest is between a former Senate president David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and David Onjeh, a former students’ leader and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP candidate, David Mark had been declared winner of the earlier March 28, 2015, election, but his “victory” was annulled by the Court of Appeal.
This gave room for today’s election which is a rerun.
However, there is all to fight for in today’e election as Benue South Senatorial District has nine local government areas, dominated mainly by the Idoma ethnic nationality.
The district also has significant populations of Igede, Agila, Alala, Apa and Agatu. Messrs Mark and Onjeh are native Idomas.
Naij.com is on the ground in Benue South, and will serve you updates of the election. Refresh your browser always for fresh updates.
9.20pm: According to Vanguard, from the 17 wards available, Mark polled 11,737 votes, while Onjeh got 7,404 votes.
6.40pm: More results below:
AGATU
Ogbaulu primary school PU, Ogbaulu Ward, Agatu LGA
PDP 75
APC 31
Oju LGA, Owo ward, Omua PU 1,
APC= 49, PDP= 14
Oju LGA, Okpokpo Ward, Ogum-igwe PU
APC -131, PDP – 53
Ugbonoko polling unit APC – 131 PDP – 110
OTUKPO
Otukpo LGA Adoka-Haje, PU Aune Play Ground 1 PDP 135 APC 38
Otukpo LGA, Adoka Icho
Opanehe II, Open Space
APC 52
PDP 70
OHIMINI
Idekpa ward, Olaigbechi PU
APC 88 PDP 45.
READ ALSO: Benue South poll: Mark in early lead, wins his polling unit (unofficial results)
5.45pm: Rest of the results from Adoka Ehaje Ward; Aukpa Unit: APC 69, PDP 95. Obena unit: APC 32, PDP 128. Ai Eya Unit: APC 60, PDP 96. Aune 1 Unit: APC 38, PDP 133. Aune 2 Unit: APC 41, PDP 117.
Okpeje Ward Unit: APC 165, PDP 83. Otokwula Samuel O. Adoka Ehaje Ward.
5pm: More unofficial results in states:
Otukpo LG, Adoka Ehaje Ward:Ai Ocheme Unit APC 72, PDP 120
Otukpo LG, Adoka Ehaje Ward:Ai Egwumebe Unit APC 81, PDP 95
Otukpo LG, Adoka Ehaje Ward: Onipi 1 Unit APC 65, PDP 81
Otukpo LG, Adoka Ehaje Ward: Onipi 2 Unit APC 48, PDP 97
3.25pm: Some unofficial results show that David Mark, the PDP candidate is in an early lead
1. Okpamaju PU, Okete Ward, Otukpo LGA : PDP 88 , APC 52
2. ADO LG Igumale Ward 1 Ai-Ameh PU : PDP 64 , APC 26
3. Agatu LG, Obagaji Ward Obagaji Pry Sch 1 : PDP 377 , APC 7
4. Ohimini LGA, Agadagba Ward, PU Open Space Akpenwo : PDP 88, APC 61
5. Otukpo LGA , Adoka-Haje, PU Aune Play Ground 1 : PDP 135, APC 111
6. Akpari PU, Okpoga-North Ward, Okpokwu LGA : APC=105 , PDP=77
7. Otukpo Club GRA PU : PDP 150 , APC 37
2pm: Voting has ended in most polling centres and results are expected to start trickling in.
12.28pm: While the Benue South senatorial rerun election is still ongoing, an ugly incident has reportedly happened in Okpokwu local government area of the state. It was learnt that the home of the clan head of Ehicho-Ugwu, Okpoga, Chief Paul Amanyi, has been set ablaze by suspected political thugs believed to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The home of Chief Paul Amanyi was set ablaze by political thugs
House of David Mark’s ally destroyed
House of David Mark’s ally destroyed
The home of the chief, who is a known supporter of Senator David Mark, was attacked after the thugs allegedly discovered electoral materials meant for the senatorial election rerun there.
12.02pm: Benue South senatorial rerun election has gone bloody in Otukpo polling unit as suspected political thugs stabbed the an agent working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) with broken bottle.
The victim whose name was given as Agbo Icha Emmanuel, was escorting a ballot box in company of some officials of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) from their office in Otukpo when he was attacked. It was gathered that the attack took place at Idabi polling booth at Otukpi-Icho where election was scheduled to take place. A source said the suspected political thugs attempted to snatch the ballot box and in the process of defending it, Emmanuel was slashed on the head with a broken bottle.
Thugs stab APC agent Agbo Icha Emmanuel
APC agent Agbo Icha Emmanuel shows the gravity of his injury
It was further gathered that if not for the swift arrival of officials of the Nigerian police force, Emmanuel might have been killed in the process.
The state’s deputy governor, Engr. Benson Abounu in a reaction to the incident, said it was unfortunate, and assured that security operatives have been dispatched to the area to curb any re-occurrence.
11.19am: The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Benue south senatorial re-run, Daniel Onjeh, cast his vote at his Orokam ward in Ogbadibo LGA.
APC’s Daniel Onjeh casts his vote
10.58am: Senator David Mark has exercised his franchise. He voted at Otukpo Club polling unit in Otukpo Township Ward 1 at about 10.58am this morning. The senator was spotted in company of his wife few distance from his house to his polling unit. He was cheered by crowd of voters.
Mark believes his constituents would return him to the Senate for a record fifth time. “Our people have resolved to return me back. They have decided that no external forces can come in between us in Zone C (Benue South),” he said. “We call on our supporters to maintain law and order while the election lasts.”
David Mark displays his vote before dropping inside the ballot box
David Mark drops his ballot paper inside the box
10am: Accreditation and voting begin simultaneously in all the nine local government areas. The process has been smooth so far.
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